7/3 Fireweed, two orca calves, emergency rule, Bill Nye, E coli closure, forever chemicals, Kate Moran, cruise ship rules

Fireweed [Gardenia]

Fireweed Chamerion angustifolium
Pink spires of flowers bloom at tops of tall, erect, leafy stems with narrow willow-like leaves. Often grows in spectacular dense patches, and though attractive, it is aggressive in a moist garden, spreading from persistent underground stems. The seeds are dispersed far and wide by long, white, silky hairs. Bees value it as a source of nectar, and the very young shoots and leaves can be eaten as cooked greens. Recent work at the genetic level has shown that Chamerion, recognized by its alternate leaves, is distinct from Epilobium (with leaves opposite, at least near base), the genus in which Fireweed was formerly placed. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

New orca babies grow endangered southern resident population
There’s not just one, but two new babies in the L pod of the endangered southern resident orcas...The babies, L126 and L127, are the offspring of moms L119 and L94, according to the center. They are the first calves born in the L pod since L125 was born in 2021, and the first in the L12 subgroup since 2018. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Fish and Wildlife issues emergency rule for vulnerable orcas
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued an emergency rule that requires commercial whale watching vessels to stay farther away from 11 vulnerable Southern Resident orca whales. According to a Thursday news release from Fish and Wildlife, researchers have identified 10 Southern Resident orcas to be in “poor body condition” and one in a late stage pregnancy. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Change lives, expand minds, boost careers — with science — say teachers and the Science Guy
Bill Nye the Science Guy and local educators and students agree: studying science can be life-changing and career-enhancing. Matt Benoit reports.  (Salish Current)

Water quality advisory issued at Kitsilano Point Beach
Vancouver Coastal Health issued an advisory on Canada Day, noting multiple E. coli counts of 591 per 100 millilitres, well above the advised limit of 400 per 100 mL. Joseph Ruttle reports. (Vancouver Sun)

‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’
For as long as she can remember, Tamara Ross’ family hasn’t liked the taste of drinking water at Harrington Lagoon. So they’ve always brought bottled water to their vacation homes in the idyllic community east of Coupeville on Whidbey Island. But about a year and a half ago, the water company alerted her and her neighbors to the presence of so-called “forever chemicals” in the drinking water. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Everett Herald)

Victoria residents among those named to Order of Canada
Ocean Networks Canada president Kate Moran of Victoria is among 85 people named Friday to the country’s highest civilian honour. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist/The Canadian Press)

Canada's new cruise ship rules don't plug loopholes for major source of wastewater pollution
The federal government says some new cruise ship pollution measures are now mandatory, but environmental groups say the move still doesn’t plug gaps that permit the ongoing contamination of some of Canada’s most sensitive coastlines. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  208 AM PDT Mon Jul 3 2023   
TODAY  Light wind becoming NE to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. NW swell 6 ft at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. NW swell 5 ft at 8 seconds.

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